Activation of PPARgamma by metabolites from the flowers of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

J Nat Prod. 2009 May 22;72(5):933-7. doi: 10.1021/np900003a.

Abstract

Thiazolidinediones are insulin sensitizing drugs that target the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma. An n-hexane extract of the flowers of Echinacea purpurea was found to activate PPARgamma without stimulating adipocyte differentiation. Bioassay-guided fractionations yielded five alkamides, of which one was new, and three fatty acids that all activated PPARgamma. The new alkamide hexadeca-2E,9Z,12Z,14E-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide (5) was identified by analysis of spectroscopic data and found to activate PPARgamma with no concurrent stimulation of adipocyte differentiation. Compound 5 was further shown to increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. The data suggest that flowers of E. purpurea contain compounds with potential to manage insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Animals
  • Denmark
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Echinacea / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / chemistry
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / isolation & purification*
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / pharmacology*
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Insulin Resistance / physiology
  • Mice
  • PPAR gamma / drug effects
  • PPAR gamma / metabolism*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • PPAR gamma
  • hexadeca-2E,9Z,12Z,14E-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide
  • Glucose